Democratic Republic of Congo: Human Rights

Lord Hylton
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether their representations on behalf of Mrs MT Nlandu have been successful in securing her release from custody in the Democratic Republic of Congo and access to necessary medical care. [HL3479]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman)
The Government have followed Marie Therese Nlandu's case closely from the start. Over the past five months, we made several representations to the Congolese Government, including to President Kabila himself. In December 2006, we and European partners raised our concerns that Mme Nlandu's human rights, particularly her access to legal representation, were not being respected. Subsequently Mme Nlandu was granted access to a lawyer. Our most recent representations were in April. President Kabila promised to look into the case and on 30 April 2007, Marie Therese Nlandu was acquitted, along with her co-accused.